In the halls of Nigeria’s Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), a storm is gathering. Not a mere academic dust‑up, but a full‑scale governance crisis. Allegations of backdoor recruitment, manipulation of institutional rules, retaliatory administration, and contract racketeering have rocked the university’s foundations, with Pro-Chancellor Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and suspended Vice-Chancellor Professor Abayomi Fasina at the center of the maelstrom.
Sources familiar with internal affairs say a list of handpicked candidates was compiled by Ndoma-Egba and Fasina to fill high-ranking academic and administrative posts—Directors, Deans, Professors, and the university’s Procurement Officer. The process reportedly ignored the university’s governing laws, including the FUOYE Establishment Act (2015), the Regulations Guiding Conditions of Service (2022), and the internal Career Structure (2022).
One insider noted, “There was a clear disregard for institutional procedures. This lends weight to claims that both officials were pushing through a list of preselected loyalists.”
A particularly egregious example was the controversial advertising of two strategic roles—Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services—with a requirement of zero years of prior experience. This blatantly contradicts the Scheme of Service for Non-Teaching Staff, which clearly mandates a minimum of five years as Deputy Director to qualify for such positions.
“This shows there was a predetermined outcome,” another source alleged. “Ndoma-Egba deliberately sidestepped the law to impose chosen candidates.”
Further scrutiny reveals deeper flaws in the governance structure. A growing number of university staff and stakeholders argue that Ndoma-Egba and members of the Governing Council have demonstrated a worrying lack of understanding—or outright disregard—for the university’s legal framework. This includes essential regulations relating to procurement, appointments, and disciplinary processes.
“The Governing Council approved and advertised positions requiring no prior experience, directly violating the university’s Scheme of Service. This alone shows a disregard for due process,” said one academic close to the situation.
In what appears to be a systematic pattern, appeals from staff members with genuine grievances have been ignored or suppressed. Some claim the council has been engaging in targeted disciplinary actions—described by multiple sources as a witch-hunt—allegedly under Fasina’s direction and with Ndoma-Egba’s backing.
Even more controversial is a sudden and unilateral alteration of the eligibility requirements for the Vice-Chancellor position. The last Governing Council had set the benchmark at eight years of professorial experience. Ndoma-Egba, reportedly acting on Fasina’s instructions, increased it to ten years—shutting out certain candidates believed to pose a threat to Fasina’s preferred successor.
The change is unprecedented. Recent VC selections at peer institutions such as Bayero University Kano and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, proceeded without similar disruptions, using five and eight-year requirements respectively.
Sources argue that the adjustment was strategic, a calculated move designed to eliminate formidable competitors and ensure control over succession.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise around the authority of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olubunmi Shittu. After assuming office following Fasina’s suspension, Shittu attempted to restore order by redeploying directors and unit heads whose tenures had expired. This standard administrative step was met with resistance. Ndoma-Egba allegedly intervened, instructing him to halt the redeployments.
According to university protocol, the Governing Council’s role is limited to policy and oversight—not operational decisions. The interference, many say, amounts to administrative overreach.
“There is blatant interference in day-to-day operations,” a source remarked. “Redeployments were carried out through the university registrar, as required. For the council chairman to override that is unlawful.”
Another contentious issue centers on the Procurement Unit. Regulations limit the tenure of the Head of Procurement to two years. However, the current head has remained in position for over four, reportedly with Ndoma-Egba’s protection. His continued tenure has drawn suspicion and questions about possible racketeering.
Staff within the institution are now openly asking why the Pro-Chancellor has taken such a vested interest in retaining this particular official. Many point to procurement as a lucrative, politically sensitive office—one capable of awarding multimillion-naira contracts.
“The Public Procurement Act of 2007 makes it clear that procurement oversight lies with the Accounting Officer, not the Governing Council,” explained one faculty member. “Ndoma-Egba is operating well outside his legal purview.”
Yet, despite these alleged breaches, the suspended Vice-Chancellor has not only avoided disciplinary action but was reportedly granted 128 million naira to proceed on a six-month leave. This action violates the university’s Conditions of Service, which state that any staff sent on compulsory leave for disciplinary reasons must be placed on half-pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.
Multiple sources confirm that Fasina never truly vacated his position. Instead, he has allegedly maintained influence from Lagos, Abuja, and Ekiti, continuing to direct operations and manipulate council decisions remotely.
“The council’s actions are enabling Fasina to remain in power by proxy,” one insider stated. “The payout and lack of enforcement have created a situation where a suspended VC is still pulling strings.”
Perhaps the most disturbing element of the ongoing saga involves the unresolved sexual harassment allegations against Fasina. Rather than pursuing a transparent investigation and protecting the rights of the complainant, the council reportedly pressured the victim, Engr. Olusola Folasade Adebayo, to apologize.
Instead of offering her protection or even granting a fair hearing, the alleged victim found herself isolated while the accused retained influence and financial benefits.
The university’s internal regulations, alongside Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, demand fair and transparent treatment in all disciplinary matters. Staff members now worry that the failure to suspend Fasina, or to even respect due process, sends a dangerous signal.
“The injustice is staggering,” one senior administrator said. “How can we talk about justice, governance, or values when this is how the institution treats victims?”
Some staff warn that the continued presence of Senator Ndoma-Egba as Pro-Chancellor is not only eroding morale but also threatening the university’s long-term stability.
“FUOYE is being held hostage,” one professor noted gravely. “If this trajectory continues, we’re headed toward academic and administrative collapse. We risk losing everything—our credibility, our integrity, and our future.”
Indeed, on April 15, 2025, the university’s crisis deepened when it became public knowledge that Fasina had defied directives to relinquish power to Acting Vice-Chancellor Shittu. The governing council had instructed him to proceed on leave in the wake of serious allegations—including sexual harassment and gross misconduct. But Fasina, sources allege, refused to step aside in practice, even as the university attempted to project normalcy.
What followed was a spiraling governance crisis. Every action taken by the acting management team faced pushback from entrenched interests. Academic processes have slowed, confidence in leadership is eroding, and external observers now wonder whether FUOYE is becoming a cautionary tale for other federal institutions.
To salvage the institution’s reputation and restore order, several urgent steps are needed.
First, an external intervention is necessary. The Federal Ministry of Education or the National Universities Commission should establish an independent panel to investigate the allegations and assess governance integrity.
Second, strict adherence to the Establishment Act, Scheme of Service, and Conditions of Service must be reinstated. Future appointments must be merit-based and free from manipulation.
Third, the Procurement Unit must be overhauled. The tenure rules should be enforced, oversight strengthened, and allegations of racketeering investigated thoroughly.
Fourth, the sexual harassment allegations must be re-examined. Adebayo’s case requires full legal protection, transparency, and, above all, justice. The institutional culture must prioritize victim protection over image control.
Finally, there must be a clear delineation of roles. The Governing Council’s mandate is policy and oversight—not administrative micromanagement.
Time Africa has contacted the FUOYE for official comments regarding the allegations. As of press time, no formal response had been received.
However, with this development, FUOYE stands at a crossroads. Its journey forward will depend not on prestige or history, but on whether it chooses transparency over secrecy, justice over favouritism, and accountability over impunity. If it fails to act now, it may lose more than just its reputation—it may lose the very foundation of what it means to be a university.
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